Serum Levels of ARMS2, COL8A1, RAD51B, and VEGF and their Correlations in Age-related Macular Degeneration

Abstract

Background: Many factors including genetic and environmental are responsible for the incidence of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). However, its pathogenesis has not been clearly elucidated yet. Objective: This study aimed to estimate the Age-Related Maculopathy Susceptibility 2 (ARMS2), Collagen type VIII Alpha 1 chain (COL8A1), Rad 51 paralog(RAD51B), and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) protein levels in serum of AMD and control participants and to further investigate their correlation to understand AMD pathogenesis. Methods: For this case-control study, 31 healthy control and 57 AMD patients were recruited from Advanced Eye Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. A blood sample was taken and serum was isolated from it. ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) was used for the estimation of proteins in the serum of patients. Results: ARMS2 and COL8A1 levels were significantly elevated in the AMD group than in the control group. The highest levels of ARMS2, COL8A1, and VEGF proteins were recorded for the wet AMD sub-group. The study results endorsed significant positive correlation between these following molecules; ARMS2 and COL8A1 (r = 0.933, p<0.0001), ARMS2 and RAD51B (r = 0.704, p<0.0001), ARMS2 and VEGF (r = 0.925, p<0.0001), COL8A1 and RAD51B (r = 0.736, p<0.0001), COL8A1 and VEGF (r = 0.879, p<0.0001), and RAD51B and VEGF (r = 0.691, p<0.0001). Conclusion: The ARMS2 and COL8A1 levels were significantly higher and RAD51B was significantly lower in the AMD group than controls. Also, a significant statistical correlation was detected between these molecules, indicating that their interaction may be involved in the pathogenesis of AMD.